Transcripts show Clinton joking that Tom DeLay was behind James Byrd killing

By Craig Hlavaty, Houston Chronicle

Published 3:34 pm, Wednesday, March 19, 2014

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Bill Clinton in his younger years.

Bill Clinton in his younger years.

Photo: Getty Images

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Bill Clinton during his younger years.

Bill Clinton during his younger years.

Photo: Getty Images

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1992: Presidential candidate Governor Bill Clinton (D-AR) speaks on the final weekend of his campaign in Springfield, OH.

1992: Presidential candidate Governor Bill Clinton (D-AR) speaks on the final weekend of his campaign in Springfield, OH.

Photo: Mark Lyons, Getty Images

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1992: Bill Clinton throws out the first pitch of the 1992 MLB season in Baltimore.

1992: Bill Clinton throws out the first pitch of the 1992 MLB season in Baltimore.

Photo: Scott Wachter, Getty Images

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1993: President Bill Clinton smiles during a non-conference game between the Arkansas Razorbacks and the Texas Southern Tigers.

1993: President Bill Clinton smiles during a non-conference game between the Arkansas Razorbacks and the Texas Southern Tigers.

Photo: Tom Ewart, Getty Images

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1995: President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton with Pope John Paul II during his visit to Newark, New Jersey.

1995: President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton with Pope John Paul II during his visit to Newark, New Jersey.

Photo: Getty Images

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1996: President Bill Clinton tries on his sunglasses at the Georgia Tech Aquatic Center at the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta.

1996: President Bill Clinton tries on his sunglasses at the Georgia Tech Aquatic Center at the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta.

Photo: Simon Bruty, Getty Images

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1998: President Clinton greets Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat before their meeting at the Wye River Plantation where peace talks took place between Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

1998: President Clinton greets Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat before their meeting at the Wye River Plantation where peace talks took place between Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Photo: Getty Images

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1998: President Clinton and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu talk during lunch at the Wye River at the Wye River Plantation where peace talks took place between Netanyahu and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. less

1998: President Clinton and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu talk during lunch at the Wye River at the Wye River Plantation where peace talks took place between Netanyahu and Palestinian leader Yasser ... more

Photo: Getty Images

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A photograph showing former White House intern Monica Lewinsky meeting President Bill Clinton at a White House function submitted as evidence in documents by the Starr investigation and released by the House Judicary committee September 21, 1998. less

A photograph showing former White House intern Monica Lewinsky meeting President Bill Clinton at a White House function submitted as evidence in documents by the Starr investigation and released by the House ... more

Photo: Getty Images

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Paula Jones, whose charges of sexual harassment led to the impeachment of President Bill Clinton, enthusiastically bares everything In Penthouse Magazine

Paula Jones, whose charges of sexual harassment led to the impeachment of President Bill Clinton, enthusiastically bares everything In Penthouse Magazine

Photo: Getty Images

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1998: President Bill Clinton Waves To US Armed Forces Stationed At Osan Air Base, South Korea.

1998: President Bill Clinton Waves To US Armed Forces Stationed At Osan Air Base, South Korea.

Photo: Getty Images

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1998: President Clinton held a press conferance in the Oval Office with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Chairman Yassir Arafat.

1998: President Clinton held a press conferance in the Oval Office with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Chairman Yassir Arafat.

Photo: Getty Images

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1999: Gen. John P. Jumper, U.S. Air Forces In Europe Commander, escorts President Bill Clinton Upon His Arrival To Ramstein Air Base, Germany.

1999: Gen. John P. Jumper, U.S. Air Forces In Europe Commander, escorts President Bill Clinton Upon His Arrival To Ramstein Air Base, Germany.

Photo: Getty Images

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2000: President Bill Clinton, right, talks with President-elect George W. Bush before their meeting at the White House.

2000: President Bill Clinton, right, talks with President-elect George W. Bush before their meeting at the White House.

Photo: Mark Wilson, Getty Images

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2000: President Bill Clinton delivers his weekly radio address from Camp David.

2000: President Bill Clinton delivers his weekly radio address from Camp David.

Photo: Getty Images

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2000: President Bill Clinton Is Interviewed For The Television News Show "Good Morning America."

2000: President Bill Clinton Is Interviewed For The Television News Show "Good Morning America."

Photo: The White House, Getty Images

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2000: President Bill Clinton and wife, Hillary with Robert De Niro at Hillary Clinton's Birthday Party at the Hudson Hotel in New York City.

2000: President Bill Clinton and wife, Hillary with Robert De Niro at Hillary Clinton's Birthday Party at the Hudson Hotel in New York City.

Photo: Nick Elgar, Getty Images

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2000: With President Clinton behind her First Lady Hillary makes remarks in the East Room of the White House.

2000: With President Clinton behind her First Lady Hillary makes remarks in the East Room of the White House.

Photo: Mark Wilson, Getty Images

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2000: President Bill Clinton attempts a putt, while golfing in Martha's Vineyard.

2000: President Bill Clinton attempts a putt, while golfing in Martha's Vineyard.

Photo: Darren McCollester, Getty Images

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2000: President Bill Clinton, right, chats with Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates during an event in the East Room of the White House.

2000: President Bill Clinton, right, chats with Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates during an event in the East Room of the White House.

Photo: Getty Images

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2000: President Bill Clinton, left, waves along with his daughter Chelsea upon their arrival at Naha Airport in Nago, Japan.

2000: President Bill Clinton, left, waves along with his daughter Chelsea upon their arrival at Naha Airport in Nago, Japan.

Photo: Getty Images

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2001: Vice President Dick Cheney shakes hands with President Bill Clinton after being sworn in by Supreme Court Chief Justice William J. Rehnquist.

2001: Vice President Dick Cheney shakes hands with President Bill Clinton after being sworn in by Supreme Court Chief Justice William J. Rehnquist.

Photo: Mark Wilson, Getty Images

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2001: President George W. Bush, 2nd left, First Lady Laura Bush, left, and former President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton pause while exiting the Capitol building following the presidential inauguration ceremony in Washington, DC. less

2001: President George W. Bush, 2nd left, First Lady Laura Bush, left, and former President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton pause while exiting the Capitol building following the presidential ... more

Photo: Getty Images

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2001: Former President Bill Clinton waves to onlookers January 21, 2001 after exiting a local deli in Chappaqua, N.Y. Clinton arrived Saturday evening without fanfare in his recently-adopted post-presidential hometown, plunging into his first day of suburban life after eight years in the Washington spotlight. less

2001: Former President Bill Clinton waves to onlookers January 21, 2001 after exiting a local deli in Chappaqua, N.Y. Clinton arrived Saturday evening without fanfare in his recently-adopted post-presidential ... more

Photo: Spencer Platt, Getty Images

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2001: US Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, left, laughs with daughter Chelsea and husband President Clinton during a re-enactment of her senatorial swearing-in.

2001: US Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, left, laughs with daughter Chelsea and husband President Clinton during a re-enactment of her senatorial swearing-in.

Photo: George DeSota, Getty Images

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Jasper County criminal district attorney's Mike Wilson and Richard Drake, now retired, hold the chain used to drag James Byrd Jr. behind the pick-up truck in Jasper.

Jasper County criminal district attorney's Mike Wilson and Richard Drake, now retired, hold the chain used to drag James Byrd Jr. behind the pick-up truck in Jasper.

Photo: Johnny Hanson, Chronicle

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The truck used to drag Byrd to his death sits in a Jasper impound lot. "I got to get it out of here for all the trouble it has caused Jasper, Texas," the lot's owner, Leon Clark, said.

The truck used to drag Byrd to his death sits in a Jasper impound lot. "I got to get it out of here for all the trouble it has caused Jasper, Texas," the lot's owner, Leon Clark, said.

Photo: Johnny Hanson, Chronicle

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Betty Boatner, one of Byrds six sisters, stands next to his grave in the Jasper City Cemetery. Boatner says she forgives her brothers killers and says the community has been changed for the better through the death of her brother. less

Betty Boatner, one of Byrds six sisters, stands next to his grave in the Jasper City Cemetery. Boatner says she forgives her brothers killers and says the community has been changed for the better through the ... more

Photo: Johnny Hanson, Chronicle

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Former Jasper County Sheriff Billy Rowles, stands on Huff Creek Road, just outside of Jasper, where James Byrd Jr., 49, was tied up by a logging chain and dragged almost three miles behind a pick-up truck 10 years ago. less

Former Jasper County Sheriff Billy Rowles, stands on Huff Creek Road, just outside of Jasper, where James Byrd Jr., 49, was tied up by a logging chain and dragged almost three miles behind a pick-up truck 10 ... more

Photo: Johnny Hanson, Chronicle

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Early morning light splashes onto Huff Creek Road just outside Jasper. It is the same road where James Byrd Jr., 49, dragged almost three miles behind a pick-up truck 10 years ago.

Early morning light splashes onto Huff Creek Road just outside Jasper. It is the same road where James Byrd Jr., 49, dragged almost three miles behind a pick-up truck 10 years ago.

Photo: Johnny Hanson, Chronicle

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An old logging road, now overgrown, off Huff Creek Road, is where James Byrd was beaten and chained to the back of a pick-up truck and dragged almost three miles.

An old logging road, now overgrown, off Huff Creek Road, is where James Byrd was beaten and chained to the back of a pick-up truck and dragged almost three miles.

Photo: Johnny Hanson, Chronicle

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It was right outside Huff Creek Memorial Chapel on Huff Creek Road where James Byrd's torso was discovered on June 7, 1998, just outside Jasper.

It was right outside Huff Creek Memorial Chapel on Huff Creek Road where James Byrd's torso was discovered on June 7, 1998, just outside Jasper.

Photo: Johnny Hanson, Chronicle

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The James Byrd Jr. trial was held inside and outside the Jasper County Courthouse.

The James Byrd Jr. trial was held inside and outside the Jasper County Courthouse.

Photo: Johnny Hanson, Chronicle

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The City of Jasper, forever linked with the murder of James Byrd Jr., will be remembering his life and death 10 years ago this Saturday.

The City of Jasper, forever linked with the murder of James Byrd Jr., will be remembering his life and death 10 years ago this Saturday.

Photo: Johnny Hanson, Chronicle

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While the James Byrd Jr. trial was held inside the Jasper County Courthouse the media, Klu Klux Klan, Black Panthers, and the public were voicing their opinions on the streets of Jasper.

While the James Byrd Jr. trial was held inside the Jasper County Courthouse the media, Klu Klux Klan, Black Panthers, and the public were voicing their opinions on the streets of Jasper.

Photo: Johnny Hanson, Chronicle

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Mike Wilson, who was the DA investigator at the time of James Byrd Jr. murder, feels the sentencing of two death penalties and life in prison for Byrd's three murderers "sent a message to racists across the country." less

Mike Wilson, who was the DA investigator at the time of James Byrd Jr. murder, feels the sentencing of two death penalties and life in prison for Byrd's three murderers "sent a message to racists across the ... more

Photo: Johnny Hanson, Chronicle

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Daunte' Cauley, 16, was six when he attended the funeral of James Byrd Jr. 10 years ago. Cauley, says he remembers going to the funeral and how Byrd was killed, but doesn't think that a hate crime based on race would happen again. less

Daunte' Cauley, 16, was six when he attended the funeral of James Byrd Jr. 10 years ago. Cauley, says he remembers going to the funeral and how Byrd was killed, but doesn't think that a hate crime based on race ... more

Photo: Johnny Hanson, Chronicle

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Like many other Jasper youngsters, Dayzha Southwell, 11, left, said she has heard of Byrd, but doesn't know much about him.

Like many other Jasper youngsters, Dayzha Southwell, 11, left, said she has heard of Byrd, but doesn't know much about him.

Photo: Johnny Hanson, Chronicle

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To keep the life and name of James Byrd Jr. alive, a park was dedicated where the 10 year anniversary remembrances to his death will be held.

To keep the life and name of James Byrd Jr. alive, a park was dedicated where the 10 year anniversary remembrances to his death will be held.

Photo: Johnny Hanson, Chronicle

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Transcripts show Clinton joking that Tom DeLay was behind James Byrd killing

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Recently released transcripts of a candid President Bill Clinton reveal he didn't have too high of an opinion of Tom DeLay while he was in office. Clinton was also worried about mentioning gays in public speeches, worried that -- as his poll watchers said -- he could lose approval points.

The transcripts were released late last week by the Clinton presidential library and are just being pored over by thirsty media. His wife's proposed presidential run has made all things Clinton once again a hot commodity.

The biggest reveal in the transcripts is then-President Clinton joking during closed-door preparations for his 1999 State of the Union speech that then-Republican representative Tom DeLay of Sugar Land was "probably a major suspect" in the horrific 1998 dragging death and murder of Jasper resident James Byrd.

In February 1999, Clinton made an official statement on the Byrd killing after a jury returned a guilty verdict for John William King, who is still on Texas death row for his part in Byrd's slaying. Lawrence Russell Brewer was put to death in 2011, and Shawn Allen Berry is spending the rest of his life in Texas prison.

Elsewhere in the transcripts, Clinton says talking about the beating death of Matthew Shepard in Wyoming in October 1998 would hurt his poll numbers and reminds staff that most white people in Wyoming are "by definition Republicans."

Hearing Clinton's tone and inflection would be a big help, but we may never hear this juicy batch of Clinton tapes. The tapes were reportedly lost some time ago, staff at Clinton's presidential library told ABC News.

Last week, ABC News also reported on a discarded line from Clinton's 1995 State of the Union speech in which he beseeches American teens to not have sex, which in the context of 2014 is quaint, considering the source.